Use of a Real-Time Syndromic Surveillance System to Improve Influenza Like Illness Screening and Documentation in Emergency Departments during the H1N1 Pandemic

Authors

  • David Meurer University of Alberta; Alberta Health Services
  • James Talbot University of Alberta; Government of Alberta

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5210/ojphi.v5i1.4484

Abstract

Interventions introduced to increase ILI screening documentation exhibited a correlation with an improved documentation rate. Aggregated data across sites demonstrate that the greatest impact is associated with email reminders for recording ILI screening results, meetings on how to improve adherence and media broadcasts associated with the circulating pandemic influenza. When one site reliably reported a period of one-to-one nurse reminders to record the ILI screening result was analyzed, one of the strongest correlations to increased adherence was demonstrated. While the results suggest more direct interventions have a significant impact, further research to isolate which interventions had the greatest impact is warranted.

Author Biographies

David Meurer, University of Alberta; Alberta Health Services

Mr. David Meurer is Project Manager for Clinical Health Informatics with the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Alberta. His work has centered around research and development and the implementation and evaluation of computer decision support applications used in emergency departments.

James Talbot, University of Alberta; Government of Alberta

Dr. James Talbot is the Chief Medical Officer of Health for the province of Alberta, a founding member of ARTSSN, and an Associate Professor at the School of Public Health University of Alberta.

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Published

2013-03-23

How to Cite

Meurer, D., & Talbot, J. (2013). Use of a Real-Time Syndromic Surveillance System to Improve Influenza Like Illness Screening and Documentation in Emergency Departments during the H1N1 Pandemic. Online Journal of Public Health Informatics, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.5210/ojphi.v5i1.4484

Issue

Section

Oral Presentations: Influenza Surveillance Methods - Evaluation and Practice